2017 Winter Walk-Off Wrap-Up

     For this year's Winter Walk-Off I had 9 hardy souls brave raw cold winds, blinding snow, treacherous ice, and hungry wolves. In reality only one post had snow, though several were soggy and wet; there were no wolves, but several dogs walked; and there were also snakes, chickens, and several other birds.

#1 - Janet in South Carolina
Janet has walked with me each year of my Walk-Off, which I really appreciate. She is also only one of two entrants this year who I have actually met in person. Her walk took place around her Upcountry South Carolina neighborhood, where winter's grip was loose this year, and spring was making its presence known through early blooms, singing frogs, and snakes looking for frogs. In tow was her husband and dogs.



#2 - Cynthia in Florida
Cynthia's walk was in her Florida Panhandle neighborhood, which looks a lot like April here in my part of Virginia. The Southern Indica azaleas were in full bloom, as were camellias, both growing under Spanish moss-draped live oaks. It was not all pretty pictures though. There was a tired American flag that needs to be disposed of properly, and some bad pruning going on.




#3 - Sarah in Maine, and England
This post brought us a comparison of winter walks in Maine and England. Sarah's family has a tradition of a beach walk each New Year's. It looked quite cold, and was the only post to include any snow, but they had fun, as did the dog. Being someone who hates winter, I'd normally say that only one post with the white stuff is a good thing, but with all of the global weather weirdness I am apt to think otherwise. She follows her Maine walk by strolling through University Parks near Oxford, England; crocus and snowdrops blooming at her feet.



#4 - Hoover Boo in California
Hoover Boo and her dogs have participated in my Walk-Off for several years, and landscapes responding to drought are a big part of her previous posts. However, this year there has had plenty of rain in her world, perhaps too much. Despite the extra water, it seems that gardeners and landscapers are making more sensible plant choices for dry-climate areas. Hoover Boo leads us to a new landscape where many drought tolerant plants have been used, as has a whole lot of stone.



#5 - Peter in Tacoma, Washington
I always look forward to Peter's walks. I think he appreciates architecture as much as I do. This year he starts by showing us an old Elks Lodge, which if all goes well, will be restored and converted into a hotel. Peter's photos make we wonder why his city was able to hang on to so many of it old buildings, while my city thought it necessary to raze so many.



#6 - Loree in Portland, Oregon
This was another architecture-heavy post, but I am fine with that. Largely through Loree's posts, as well as those of other Portland area bloggers, I really would like to visit this city. On her walk she takes us downtown where several building styles can be seen, some I like more than others. However, this is the Danger Garden, so there are many plants as well.



#7 - Philip in Vancouver, Washington
Although Philip's post didn't show any snow or ice, the winter there was very rough, and especially wet. However, on a walk near his home, spring was showing a few colorful signs that it was near. Philip headed towards Vancouver Lake Park, which looked as if the lake was occupying new real estate. Philip is the other entrant I have met in person. Hopefully I will be able to meet more of my fellow bloggers at some point.



#8 - Michelle in Chippenham, England
As a bit of an anglophile, I was happy to receive another entry from England. Michelle's walk took place after a severe storm named Doris had hit the country. With all the changes in global weather, I think we should stop giving storms nice names like Doris. Anyway, Michelle shows us that spring is well on its way in Chippenham, with many things in bloom.



#9 - Beth in Wisconsin
In past years when Beth has walked near her Wisconsin home, the landscape was white with winter. This year it just looks very wet and soggy. She walked at a nearby park that appears to me to have been left beautifully natural. Among the brown trees and tan meadows are little pops of green, and lots of red coming from the red twig dogwoods.



Thank you everyone who participated, and to all who took the time to join vicariously!

Now on to the rich swag. With help from a clinically efficient random number generator, this year's winners have been selected. Sarah will receive a $25 gift certificate to Brent and Becky's Bulbs, and Michelle will receive an assortment of botanically themed cards that my wife creates. I will soon be contacting the winners for mailing addresses.

(The photos in this post were taken last Sunday on our way home from my parent's on Virginia's Eastern Shore. In the small seaside towns of Wachapreague and Oyster, crab pots readied near the docks are a certain sign that spring is here. The ferris wheel, however, will have to wait one more season.)